Combined boat hook and pump



Jan. 12, 1965 H. GREENWALD COMBINED BOAT HOOK AND PUMP Filed Jan. 30,1962 INVENTOR HARRY GREENWALD ATTY.

QM I United States Patent Filed Jan. 39, 1962, Ser. No. 169,828 1 Claim.(Cl. l03153) The applicant conceived the novel and inventive idea,

which was, therafter, reduced to practice, that the boat hook could bemade smaller by telescoping the boat hook body and also realized thatthis same telescoping arrangement could be utilized to turn the boathook into abilge pump when desirable. Further, in the development of theinvention, the applicant conceived an inventive valve mechanism thatwould enhance the efiiciency of the original combination.

It should, therefore, be clear that the generalobject of this inventionis to provide a unitary combination boat hook and bilge pump.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary combination ofa boat hook and bilge pump utilizing a V telescopic arrangement thatenables the unit to be stored in a compartively small place.

. Another object, of this invention is to provide a unitary combinationof a boat hook and bilge pump utilizing a telescopic arrangement thatnot only enables the unit to bestored in a comparatively small space,but also performs a necessary function when the unit is utilized as abilge pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and inventivevalve mechanism that can be utilized in the inventive unitarycombinationof a boat hook and a bilge pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easily manufactured,inexpensive and easily maintained unitary combination boat hook andbilge pump with a novel and inexpensive valve mechanism providedtherein.

Briefly, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a combinedboat hook and bilge pump device that, in external appearance, resemblesany boat hook. The device is provided with a telescoping arrangementwhereby an inner section of the device can be inserted into an outersection when not in use to thereby reduce the storage space required forthe device. Locking means are provided for preventing the inner sectionfrom moving into the outer section when the device is extended for useas a boat hook. The device has a valve arrangement at the end oppositethe boat hook extensions and the inner section is constructed to performas a plunger in a suction pump assembly in cooperation with the valvemeans and the outer section. The telescoping arrangement is, therefore,used as an active and essential part of the bilge pump. Manipulation ofthe inner section in and out of the outer section draws water into theouter section through one part of the valve mechanism on the upstrokeand drives water out another part of the valve mechanism on the downstroke.

Other advantageous and inventive concepts as Well as those alreadymentioned will be brought out more clearly if the following is viewed inlight of the accompanying drawings of which: p a

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the valve body utilized in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the valve body illustrated in FIG.3;

FIG[ 5 is a plan view of the valve actuating element utilized with thevalve body illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a plan view of the valveretainer element utilized with the valve body illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the valve retainer element illustrated in FIG.6; p

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the cap element utilized in theembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1; and I I FIG. 9 is aside'elevational view of .the cap element illustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the combinationboat hook and bilge pump is illustrated in cross-section and isillustrated in its collapsed position, that is, in a position where ithas the least length. The combination boat hook and bilge pump is'comprised'of an outer elongated tube 10, which, in a preferredembodiment of the invention, is approximately three feet long from oneend to the other, which has formed at one end thereof a reduced portion12 and at the opposite end thereof an elongated slot 14. The slot 14extends from one end of the outer boat hook element It) and issemi-circular on its inside end. An inner boat hook member 18 ispositioned withinthe outer boat hook member 19 so as to be movable intoand out of the outer boat hook member ill. The inner boat hook member18, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, is approxiniately threeinches smaller than the outer boat hook member it) and is substantiallya hollow cylinder with a pair of diametrically opposed slots 20positioned therein as shown in FIG. 1. Positioned at one end of theinner boat hook member 18 and attached thereto is the hook member 22 andis preferably made of a suitable plastic or equivalent material. Thehook member 22 is securely attached to the inner boat hook member 18 byany feasible means and in the embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, is connected thereto by rolling one end of the inner boathook member 18 into complementary curvilinear. grooves in a shoulderportion 24 of the hook member 22. The particular means by which the hookmember 22 is attached to the inner boathook member l8is not singularlyimportant to the invention.

The boat hookmember 22 has a longitudinal aperture 26 extendingtherethrough for reasons which will be explained later and has providedon one end thereof an elongated curvilinear hook element 30 and on theop posite side thereof a somewhat less elongated curvilinear hookelement 32. A boat hook tip 34 is inserted into the elongated aperture26 of the boat hook element 22 and can be composed of any suitablematerial, such as spe: cialy treated hard rubber or the like. The boathook tip member 34 has providedtherein an elongated aperture 36extending completely through the boat tip 34. The boat tip 34-is alsoprovided with a shoulder member 38 having a plurality of spleens (notshown), the outside dimensions of which are larger than the dimensionsof the aperture 26 in the boat hook 22. Therefore, the boat tip 34 ispushed into the hook element 22 and. is held thereby in a force fit.Thefit is tight enough to hold the tip 34 in the hook 22, but is not sotight as to prevent the comparatively easy removal of the tip 34 out ofthelhook aperture 26 in'the hook element 22. The boat tip34 has alsoprovided another shoulder element 4 0, which .is adapted to besurrounded by a rubber hose 42 .(or a hose made .of anysuitable plasticor the likel'g the rubber hose being of a smaller inside diameter thanthe outside dianr eter of the shoulder 40, but being composed of aresilient material and, therefore, held to the shoulder portion ll bymeans of a force or elastic lit. The hose portion 42 extends through theelongated aperture 26, and the book 22, and through the hollow portionof the inner boat hook member 18' as is clearly illustrated in thedrawings and may be ofv any length, determined by the availability ofspace within the inner boat hook member lb.

i 'The function and use of the boat tip 34 and the elongated rubber tube42 will be seen later on and it will be seen in connection with theoperation of the device as a bilge pump. V

' A molded plastic plunger body 46 is securely attached to the innerboat hook member as best illustrated in FIG, 1. The plungerbody 46 has ashoulder portion 28 formed therein which has provided thereincurvilinear grooves into which the ends of the inner boat hook member 18can be rolled. This is the means shown in the illustrated embodiment ofthe invention for attaching the plunger body 46 to the inner boat hookmember 13,

but any meanssuit'able and known in the art can be used. The shoulderportion 48 is solid and extends into the interior of the inner boat hookmember 18. A pair of diametrically opposed, engaging extensions dd areformed on the outside of the shoulder element 48 and fit into thediametricaly'opposed slot in the inner boat hook member 18. i This aidsin preventing the plunger body for rotating relative to the inner boathook member 18. The main body portion 54 of the plunger body 46 is solidwith the exception of a threaded aperture 55 provided therein for thereception of a threaded screw as, as will be seen later. Right handthreads 6 are formed on the outside of the plunger body 4s and theoverall outside dimansion of-the plunger body 46 is equal to the insidediameter of the outer boat hook member ill. Positioned up towards oneend-of the outer boat hook member it) are complementary thread portions66 formed on the inside of the outer boat hook member 10 and adapted tobe engaged with the threads on the plunger body.

Positioned on one side of the plunger body as are a pair of oppositelypositioned leather gasket members 78 and 72, respectively. These leathergasket members are cap shaped and the outside diameter thereof is equalto the inside diameter of the outer boat hook member ti? and the purposethereof is to seal the plunger body 46 from the portion of the outerboat hook element positioned to'the left as shown in FIG. 1. Thisis sothat when tbe combination boat hook and bilge pump devicevis'operated'as a bilge pump, no liquid will pass around the sides ofthe plunger body 56. The pair of gaskets 7t) and 72 are held in place bythe mentioned screw diland a 'washerjelernent76, as clearly shown inFlG.l.

Positioned at the left-hand end of combination boat hook and bilge pump,a illustrated in FIG. 1, is the valve body 8th The valve body 34) isbest illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and comprises an intake chamber 82and an expulsion chamber 84. The expulsion chamber $4 has an elongatedorifice 86 connected thereto for expulsion of water therefrom. The valvebody 8% is connected to the outer boat hook element 10 by means ofrivets 99, one of a which is shown in FIG. 1 and secured thereto.

Referring now to FIGS, there is shown the valve 1% comprised of a rubbermaterial or an equivalent and which i attached to the valve boby bymeans of a pair of screws not shown, but the screw holes are-illustratedin FIG. 5 and labeled 102. A pair of mirror image flaps 194 and 1% areform'edinthe valve ltlli. The flaps 1M and 106 are cut only along thesemi-circular portions illustrated and that is just along the outsideperiphery and not of the flap 1%, as will be explained later in theoperation of the valve mechanism itself.

A valve retainer ill best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, is positioneddirectly over the valve member 195, and is connected to the valve body80 by the same pair of screws as the valve member it? through the holes112 in the valve retainer 110, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The valveretainer illtl can be comprised of a somewhat relatively rigid materialand has provided therein two apertures lid and 118, the apertures beingof different shapes and the reason, therefore, will be best explained inthe explanation of the valve mechanism itself to come. Positionedadjacent to the end of the valve body 89 is a circular screen 129preferably composed of bras or copper screen stock and designed to keepout clogging elem rits from the intake chamber 82 of the valve body 83.The screen is held in position by a cap member 130, as will be morefully explained later in the assembly section of this specification. Thescreen 126 extends and fully covers the intake end of the valve body 80.

The cap element 130 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 and is composed ofa material such as white rubber which is somewhat resilient as isnecessary, as will be seen, inasmuch as the cap element E30 must beresilient enough to be snapped over the end of the boat hook member itThe cap element 136 has provided therein an aperture 132 designed to fitaround the orifice 86 and initially the aperture 132 is positioned overthe orifice 86 and the remaining portion or bottom portion, as viewed inFIG. 1 of the cap element 134' is then snapped over and around theopposite side of the boat hook member 10 adjacent the pin @il, asclearly shown in FIG. I. The cap element 138 will be retained inposition by the orifice $6 and also by the fact that its inside diameteris lightly smaller than the outside diameter of the boat hook member litand will be held there by a resilient force fit. The cap element 13%, isprovided with a plurality of feet 1% and form a chamber 136 enablingwater to flow therein and into the intake chamber 82 to be laterexpelled through the expulsion chamber 84. As can be seen, the capelement 135i securely holds the screen element 129 in place against thebottom portion of the valve body 86.

ASSEMBLY Initially, a sub-assembly is made comprising the inner boatnook member 18, the plunger body 46, the pair of leather gaskets 7t and72, the washer 76, and the threaded screw Gil. This sub-assembly is theninserted into the outer boat hook member 16 from the left side, asviewed in FIG. 1. Next, the sub-assembly, including the inner boat hookmember 18 is pushed far enough to the right so that the hook member 22can be secured thereto. The hook member 22 is secured to the inner boathook member 18 by having the right hand end, as viewed in FIG. 1, of theboat hook member it; rolled into provided curvilinear grooves positionedin the shoulder portion 24 of the hook element 22. As previously stated,it is not a matter of great significance to the invention how the hookmember 22 is secured to the inner boat hook member 13 as long as theattachment is secure.

Another sub-assembly can be made at this time and i. this sub-assemblythe tip element 34 is secured to the rubber nose if: and this is readilydone by stretching one end of the rubber hose 42 over the reducedshoulder portion 4% of the tip element 34. Next, the length of hose 42secured to the tip element 34 is inserted into the elongated aperture 2sextending through the hook element 22 down through and into the hollowor center portion of the inner boat hook member 18, as can best be seenin FIG. 1. The spleens or ridges formed on the shoulder member 38 or"the tip element 34 enable a good tight grip to be formed between theWalls of the elongated aperttue 24- of the hook 22 and the shoulderportion 3% of the tip element 34. This should not be too tight, ofcourse, because the tip element 34 should be able to be removed by agood pull, or else, as will be seen, the effectiveness of the combinedboat hook and bilge pump device would be severely reduced.

Proceeding to the left hand end of the combined boat hook and bilgepump, as viewed in FIG. 1, the only remaining portion to be assembled isthe valve assembly. Here again, a sub-assembly can be formed beforebeing inserted into the outer boat hook portion end of the boat hook andbilge pump assembly.

The main valve body 80 has secured to it on its righthandside, as viewedin FIG. 1, the valve 1% and the valve retainer 110. The valve retainer110 is placed over the valve 190 and the two are attached to the valvebody 80 by a pair of screws extending (not shown) through the mentionedapentures in the valve retainer 110 and the valve 1110, and secured tothe threaded recesses 101 in the valve body 811. Next, the subassembly,just described, is inserted into the outer boat hook portion of thecombination boat hook and bilge pump and the orifice 86 is inserted intothe previously described slot 14 provided in the outside wall of theouter boat hook member 10. As previously described, the inner end of theelongated slot 14 positioned in the outer boat hook member 10 issemi-circular and adapted to receive the orifice S6 and limits andpositions the valve sub-assembly as previously described. Next, thevalve assembly, as previously described, is secured to the outer boathook member 10 by a plurality of rivets, one of these rivets being shownin FIG. 1. The valve assembly could be attached to the upper boat hookmember '10 by other means, but a rivet was chosen in this embodiment ofthe invention. Next, the screen element 120 is placed flush up againstthe bottom or the outer left-hand end of the valve body 89, as viewed inFIG. 1, and finally, the elastic rubber cap 130 is snapped on the leftend (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the combination boat hook and bilge pump,as has been previously described. Briefly, the orifice 86 of the valvebody 80 is inserted into the hole 132 of the cap 130, and the remainderof the cap 136 is stretched and snapped into place so that the cap 139extends around the lower periphery of the outer boat hook member 10.

OPERATION Telescopic Boat Hook Normally, when the combination boat hookand bilge pump is not in use, it is in its collapsed position, as viewedin FIG. 1. However, when the combination boat hook and bilge pump isdesired to be used as a boat hook, the inner boat hook member 18 ispulled out of the outer boat hook member 111 by, for example, graspingthe hook element 22 and just pulling the assembly, including inner boathook member 18, through the hollow outer boat hook member 19. Theassembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, will readily movedown the inside of the outer boat hook member 10 until the threadportions 66 formed on the outer boat hook member 10 and the threadedportions 64 formed on the plunger body 46, come into contact. Thiscontact can be readily felt by the user. At this moment, the user justtwists either the outer boat hook member 1t) or the inner boat hookmember 18, relative to one another, to engage the threaded portions 66with the threaded portions 64. In this position, the outer boat hookmember 10 and the inner boat hook member 18 are in a locked position andwill not move relative to one another, that is, either into or away fromeach other and are, therefore, in the proper condition to be used as aboat hook. After the use as a boat hook has been performed, the outerboat hook member 19 or the inner boat hook member 18 are turned onerelative to the other to unlock the threads 66 from the threads 64 andto, therefore, enable the telescoping of the assembly, including theinner boat hook member 18 into the outer boat hook member 10.

v 6 OPERATION .OF THE BILGE PUMP INCLUDING OPERATION OF THE VALVEMECHANISM When the combination boat hook and bilge pump is to beutilized as a bilge pump, the tip element 34 is first removed from theelongated aperture 26 of the hook element 22 by manually pulling on thetip element 34. The tip element 34, as previously stated in the assemblysection, is secured to a length of rubber hose 42. This length of rubberhose 42 and the tip element 34, which will now act as a nozzle, is thenremoved from the interior of the combination boat hook and bilge pump.The inner end or the length of rubber tubing 42, illustrated on the leftend as shown in FIG. 1, is then snapped over the outer end of theorifice 86. The projections 201 on the orifice 86 help retain the lengthof rubber tubing 42 secured to the end of the orifice 86. The tipelement 34, which is now acting as a nozzle, can then be draped over theside of the boat or the end of the boat so as to enable the water orother liquid to be pumped from inside of theboat'into the lake or river,or the like. Next, the cap member 130 is emerged into the water or otherliquid to be pumped out of the boat and the legs 134 positioned on theend of the cap 130 enable water to continually slip in and to becontinually pumped out of the boat. This would not be the case if acomplete cylindrical ridge was formed at the end of this cap member13%).

Next, the curvilinear extension 30 and 32 of the tip 22 are grasped bythe-pump operator and the assembly, including the inner boat hook member18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, so as to draw in wateror other liquid into the interior of the louter boat hook member 11 Aswas previously explained, the plunger body 46 and the provided leathergaskets 70 and 72 enable a Water-tight seal to be formed between theassembly, including the inner boat hook member 18 and the inside surfaceof the outer boat hook member 10. Thus, as the assembly, including theinner boat hook member 18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1water is drawn in through the valve, including the valve body 80, aswill be explained shortly. As the assembly, including the inner boathook member 18, is drawn to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, a partialvacuum is created. This partial vacuum causes the flap portion 1% of thevalve to move to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. Or, when positioned inthe boat, to move upwardly. The opening of the flap 106 in the valve 1%is permitted because the flap 1116 is of a configuration and dimensionas to be readily movable through the aperture 118 in the valve retainer110. Therefore, water or other liquid is drawn through the screen 120and the solid particles contained therein, de-

pending upon the size or mesh of the screen 120 are prohibited fromentering the pump by the screen 120. The water or other liquid is thendrawn through the inlet aperture 82 of the valve body 80, past the flap106 of the valve 100, through the aperture 118 of the valve retainer110, and into the inside of the outer boat hook member 10. The amount ofwater that is drawn depends upon the stroke taken by the operator of thepump and the assembly, including the inner boat hook member 18, can moveall the way up to where the threads 66 engage with the threads 64 beforeany difficulty is encountered.

The partial vacuum that is caused in the inside'of the outer boat hookmember 10 by the withdrawal of the assembly, including the inner boathook member 18, also exerts a force on the flap 104 of the valve 100.However, the retainer 110 has provided therein an aperture 116 which isof a configuration and dimension such as to prevent the flap 1514 of thevalve 100 from moving in an upward direction when positioned in a boat,or as viewed in FIG. 1, in a direction towards the right-hand side ofthe drawing. 7

Thus, it can be seen that on the upstroke or on the intake, that onlyflap 106 can move and Water or other liquid will be drawn in to theinner portion of the outer boat hook member 15). On the downstroke, theopposite efiect occurs. The assembly, including the inner boat hookmember 18, is then pushed downwardly when positioned in the boat and tothe left, as viewed in PEG. 1, and water is forced against the flap 194in the valve 1%. The water flows through the aperture 116 of the valveretainer and exerts a force against the flap 1114, thereby moving theflap downwardly or to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1. This allows thewater to enter the expulsion chamber 84 of the valve body 80 and to flowout through the orifice 86 and the tubing 42 and the tip 34 positionedexterior to the boat. The flap 164 of the valve 161 is of aconfiguration and a dimension such that the valve or the flap portion 1%can move through the aperture formed in the expulsion chamber 84 in thevalve body 8-9, thereby permitting water to enter the expulsion chamber84 of the'valve body 8% and out, as just explained.

At the same time that water pressure is applied to the flap 194 of thevalve 1%, the water pressure is also applied to the flap 1% of the valve1% through the aperture 118 of the valve retainer 110. The apertureformed in the intake chamber 82 of the valve body 34 is of suchdimensions. and configuration that the flap 165 cannot move into theintake chamber 82, as can be seen in the drawings.

Thus, it can be seen that on the upstroke water or other liquid can onlyenter the combination boat hook and bilge pump, and on the downstrokewater or other liquid can only be expelled from the inner poition of theouter boat hook portion 16) of the combination boat hook and bilge pump.

What has been explained is believed to be the preferred embodimentof theinvention. However, many modifications and alterations can be madeWithout departing from the inventive scope of the invention. It is,therefore, the intention of the applicant is to cover the entireinventive concept disclosed in the foregoing in the claim which is to berestricted only by the prior art.

What; is claimed is:

'An article of manufacture comprising an elongated outer boat hookmember; an elongated inner boat hook member positioned Within said outerboat hook member and dimensioned to provide a substantially waterproofseal between at least one portion of itself and the inner surface ofsaid outer boat hook member; said inner boat hook member having a pairof curvilinear hook projections extending from one end thereof; andvalve means positioned adjacent said elongated outer boat hook membercomprising a valve body having an inlet chamber of a predeterminedconfiguration and an outlet chamber of a distinct predeterminedconfiguration and separated from said inlet chamber, a disc shaped valveelement positioned adjacent both said inlet and outlet chambers andhaving formed therein a pair of pivotable valve fiaps through whichliquid can pass, and a valve retainer positioned adjacent said valveelement, said outlet chamber being shaped so as to permit a first ofsaid flaps to swing into said outlet chamber and said valve retainerbeing shaped so as to prevent said first fiap from swinging through saidvalve retainer, said inlet chamber being shaped so as to prevent thesecond of said flaps from swinging into said inlet chamber and saidvalve retainer being shaped so as to permit the second of said flaps toswing through said valve retainer, whereby said article of manufacturecan be operated to selectively pump a liquid into said outer boat hookmember and then out of said outer boat hook member responsive to themanipulation of said inner boat hook member in and out of said outerboat hook member.

References titted in the file of this patent UNXTED STATES PATENTS86,287 Dix Jan 26, 1869 103,007 Bibber May 17, 1870 237,193 Mallory Feb.1, 1881 2,477,410 Johnson July 26, 1949 2,566,023 Gagnon Aug. 28, 19512,702,910 Ake Mar. 1, 1955 2,889,797 Fox June 9, 1959 2,926,693 ZieglerMar. 1, 1960 3,010,476 Ziegler Nov. 28, 1961 3,044,410 Edmundson July17, 1962

